Summary
Producer and director ofFinal Fantasy 14, Naoki Yoshida, has recently teased a “secret” reason behind the upcomingDawntrailexpansion’s references toFinal Fantasy 9.Final Fantasy 14’sDawntrailexpansion was first revealed last July, which is the game’s fifth major expansion pack. This expansion sees players taking to the seas and visiting a brand-new land called Tural, set in the West.
Square Enix and Yoshida were present at this year’s PAX East, with a full panel dedicated toFinal Fantasy 14.During this panel, Yoshida revealedDawntrail’s release datefor later this July, along with confirming pre-orders for the expansion beginning on March 26. Players who pre-order this expansion will be granted early access to the expansion’s content, along with pre-order bonus items such as Azeyma’s Earrings. The panel also revealed a number of purchasable items, which are references toFinal Fantasy 9.
During theFinal Fantasy 14PAX East panel, Yoshida revealed a brand-new mount and in-game minions being added with the Dawntrail Expansion. The minions were based off of Zidane and Garnet, who are theprotagonists ofFinal Fantasy 9. The mount is based on the Eidolon Ark, a shadow elemental summon who is a dragon-shaped airship that can transform into a robot. Naoki Yoshida confirmed these were deliberate references toFinal Fantasy 9, but then said that the reason why is something for fans to find out later. “You may have noticed a lot ofFinal Fantasy 9references here, but the reason is a secret,” said Yoshida during the panel (around 1:03:40 in the official vod).
The Rumored Reason Behind the Final Fantasy 14 x Final Fantasy 9 Connection
WhileFinal Fantasy 14could simply be promoting an in-game event, the biggest theory floating around is that these secrets could be related to a remake ofFinal Fantasy 9. Rumors about aFinal Fantasy 9remake have been floating around ever sincethe NVIDIA GeForce leakin 2021, and a number of games from the leak ended up being released. These include the likes ofStreet Fighter 6,Mortal Kombat 1, and the PC version ofFinal Fantasy 16, among others. Some believe that Yoshida’s teased “reason” is that the alleged remake will be revealed soon.
You may have noticed a lot of Final Fantasy 9 references here, but the reason is a secret.
Themost recentFinal Fantasy 9remake rumorhas suggested that Square Enix will be going for a “faithful” style of remake. This apparent focus on faithfulness puts it on par with thePersona 3 Reloadremake rather than the more action-heavy and cinematicFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. That said, theFinal Fantasy 9remake is still a rumor at this time, and fans should wait until more official information is provided by Square Enix.
Final Fantasy 14 (2010)
WHERE TO PLAY
Begin your adventure in FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm RebornCreate your very own Warrior of Light and embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.Take to the skies in FINAL FANTASY XIV: HeavenswardTake your first steps in the reclusive nation of Ishgard, locked in a seemingly never-ending struggle with dragons.Rekindle the fires of hope in FINAL FANTASY XIV: StormbloodJourney to the East and rise up against the might of the Garlean Empire.Become the darkness in FINAL FANTASY XIV: ShadowbringersTravel to a world where light ushers all unto oblivion. But hope is not yet lost, for where there is light there is shadow.Journey to the very stars above in FINAL FANTASY XIV: EndwalkerA great calamity has been building - a second advent of the Final Days. The Warrior of Light must journey ever higher and stand firm as hope’s last bastion.Set forth for new horizons in FINAL FANTASY XIV: DawntrailBlue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as hope’s light dawns once more.
Final Fantasy 9
Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe have kidnapped Princess Garnet, the heir of Alexandria. To their surprise, however, the princess herself yearned to escape the castle. Through a series of unusual circumstances, she and her personal guard, Steiner, fall in with Zidane and set out on an incredible journey.Meeting unforgettable characters like Vivi and Quina along the way, they learn about themselves, the secrets of the Crystal, and a malevolent force that threatens to destroy their world.Learn new abilities by equipping items. When fully mastered, these abilities can be used even without equipping items, allowing for nearly endless customization options.Fill your Trance gauge as you sustain hits in battle. When fully charged, your characters will enter Trance mode, granting them powerful new skills!Never let items go to waste. Combine two items or pieces of equipment together and make better, stronger items!
